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Ava: Sorry for the delay, we are having major writers block. :(
Aubrey: Thanks to Twilightfan09 for the recommendation.
Ava: And thanks to our wonderful reviewers: Jacob Did Not Imprint, Terra106, Fluffy Otters, Only4Miken, Gail Chan, and Twilightfan09.
Aubrey: Enjoy!!!
Alex's Point of View
"What's up?" I asked her firmly, "And tell me the truth."
She didn't respond. I sighed impatiently, "Tell me."
"Well, I'm just upset."
Like that wasn't obvious. "Yeah…"
I already knew what was going on. It was impossible to miss the way that Jamie's eyes strayed to Jacob's spot every few seconds or the way that she had suddenly began to wear makeup. I caught onto these sorts of things very quickly. It was ironic really, how just a week ago she had thought Jacob was a stalker. Jamie could be so illogical sometimes. I wondered what had happened over the weekend to cause Jamie to have let go of her hopeless quest to reject Jacob. It had been a little surprising that it had happened so soon…of course, I had been surprised when she allowed Jacob to sit at our table. There was some other thing going on, something beyond my understanding. This was obvious for several reasons; the way that Jacob looked upon Jamie as if she was the only thing in his world; the way that Jamie would lose herself in his eyes with the happiest look I've seen on her other than in photos of her life back in Florida; the way that Jamie couldn't deny his requests even though she was trying her damn hardest; and the way Jacob had placed himself in Jamie's life easier than anybody else who was in it right now.
"Because, um, I kind of want this...this person...to be here. But that's not really why I'm peeved," she worded her words carefully, trying not to reveal the identity of 'this person'.
"Then what is it?" I asked, desperate for her to get to the point. She didn't realize that I already knew… that she just needed to get this out.
Jamie had never fully comprehended my way of understanding things. I reacted to the world depending on the emotions and relationships of people around me, not necessarily on the logical way of the world. Emotions were something I had always been interested in. I could and would spend hours watching and listening to somebody's body language and tone. I noticed how the slight change in a person's facial expression could mean a massive shift in emotions. I was very good with people. Of course, I wasn't perfect; I have let my emotions take over in the wrong way many times, sometimes allowing them to blind me. I have stayed in bad relationships knowingly because I had loved the person too much to let them go. And most recently, I had tried to push Jamie into a relationship with Brian even when I had known she would not stand for it. She was still too caught up in her love of Mark and me. Which leads to another devastating mistake of mine; letting her feelings for me go too far. I remember knowing that she was blowing our friendship wildly out of proportion to help fill the gap that Mark had left in her heart. I hadn't given much attention to it, I thought she would get it under control herself, I thought that she knew I was gay. I thought wrong…and when I finally realized this and told her that I was gay (It wasn't something I just randomly told to everyone.), it was too late and she was hurt again by love. It's terrible to watch your friend be afraid of the very best thing in life and know that it's partly your fault. I hoped Jacob would be able to fix her because if he didn't succeed, I didn't know who would. The changes I'd noticed in just the past week with Jamie were staggering. She had been sad and empty, focused on the unchangeable past. Now, she focused on the future although not exactly with the right emotions all the time, but that's human nature.
"Well, uh, I'm mad because I don't know what to do. And because I don't want to be dependant on this person. And because I'm letting my expectations get too high. So really, I'm just upset with myself."
I decided to just get on with it. "When you say 'this person,' you really mean...Jake."
She froze. "No! Why would I like him?" Her tone was too defensive, her facial expressions too stiff.
I smiled a little. "Well, he's super hot and muscular," I told her my small smile turning into a grin picturing him in my mind. It was true, he was very attractive. Too bad Nate already held my heart. "More importantly, he's really nice, he smiles a lot, he's warm." She fidgeted slightly, trying to stay focused on denying her like of Jacob I was sure. "And he can actually stand to be around you," I paused to chuckle when she glared at me. My tone turned serious, encouraging. This was important to get across. "And he really, really cares about you, I think."
She dropped her act, leaving her expression very vulnerable and exposed. "You do?" she whispered hopefully.
"Of course Jamie," my voice was gentle, "I wouldn't lie to you." And just like that, she was sobbing. Jamie, who hadn't cried in front of me since the first few days of high school.
"Alex, if he doesn't like me, I don't know if I can take it. Not again," she bawled, "I would rather die." I froze at her words. Jamie would not exaggerate at a time like this. At least, I didn't think so. I went from being confident on my grasp of Jamie's feelings to feeling very, very unsure of myself. She reached towards me asking for comfort. I let her bury her face in my shoulder. What was going on here? How could Jacob bring such reactions in Jamie in just a week? Again I was reminded that there was something beyond my understanding going on between Jamie and Jacob. I looked down at Jamie's inconsolable form and shivered, realizing that it may be beyond Jamie's understanding at this point, too.
Jacob's Point of View
I hastily pulled on my shorts and ran into Sam's house to grab some food. Reluctantly I looked at the clock, afraid of what I might see. Aw shit!!! It was twenty minutes before school ended. I forgot about the food and hurried out the door.
I drove through the parking lot and saw Jamie about to get into Alex's car about ten spaces down. It took all of my self-control to keep my foot from slamming on the gas. My car screeched to a stop beside the Pontiac. I rolled down the window frantically. "Jamie, Jamie!" I called breathlessly, "I'm here to take you home!" She looked up her eyes widening in surprise.
"Jacob?" she asked, softly. She didn't look too mad, just shocked. I smiled with relief.
"Sorry I didn't come to school today I was…busy," I winced at the pause and hoped she wouldn't notice. She didn't. "Is there anything I can do to make it up for you?" I begged.
"It's fine Jacob. You don't need to do anything," she smiled and my heart beat a little faster.
Jamie's Point of View
"Well get in then." I watched Jacob's lips form each word, feeling something stir inside me. My eyes drifted to his muscular arms. I resisted the urge to breach the few feet between us and stroke his warm skin. Get a grip Jamie, I told myself nervously trying to pull my eyes away from him. My attraction for him was getting unhealthy, bordering on obsession. "Jamie?"
"What?" I snapped back into focus. "Oh…sorry." How embarrassing. I went around the front and climbed into the passenger seat.
Oh, God. He was shirtless. My heart beat wildly and my eyes meandered over the contours of his chest. I looked away once I realized what I was doing. I clenched my fists.
"What?" he asked, probably at my tense position.
"Nothing," I squeaked. I forced myself to breath and once more was aware of the comforting smell of his car. It smelled like him, I realized. I took a few more deep breaths.
"Are you sure?" His husky voice was worried.
"I'm fine," I reassured him, relieved that my voice was more level. My eyes darted back towards him. He was looking at me, lips pursed as if debating something. He sighed, giving up I guess, and pulled away form the parking space. I thought about what Alex had told me after I had finished crying. He had said it wouldn't offend him if I wanted to go to school with Jacob now. So hesitantly I brought it up to Jacob, "Hey Jacob?"
"Yeah Jamie," he murmured his eyes focused on the road.
"Uh, Alex has to tutor in the morning and he can't pick me up anymore," I lied, "So, I was wondering if maybe you could drive me to school?" I bit my lip. What if he said no?
Jacob looked at me, taken aback. "Really?" He backpedaled, "I mean, sure that would be gr—s- sure… Of course, you can, Jamie." He turned back to the road and drummed his fingers nervously on the wheel. We reached my house.
"Thanks for driving me Jake," I said as he pulled into my driveway.
"Glad to," he smiled. I got out of the vehicle and paused outside the door looking back towards Jacob.
"See you tomorrow?" I asked hesitantly.
He nodded. "Seven o' clock."
For a moment, I just stood outside of the car door. It was as if his eyes were drawing me in, pulling all the doubts out. He radiated kindness and warmth, trust and acceptance. I longed to reach out, to tell him my feelings. It couldn't hurt, right?
"Um, Jake?" I started.
"What is it, Jamie?"
I looked away suddenly. "Nothing. Never mind." I slammed the door and hurried away from the car. I couldn't believe that I almost did that. I cursed myself under my breath and opened the front door, afraid to look back at him.
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